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It’s hard to believe summer’s right around the corner, isn’t it? Have you and your family started thinking about where you’re going to go for vacation, when the local pools will open for business, when Aunt Jane and Uncle Bob are flying in from Toledo, how you’re going to afford to buy groceries…
Wait. You mean the grocery thing isn’t on your list of stuff to worry about this summer? Unfortunately, it’s at the top of the list for a growing number of Idaho families. During the academic year, many children rely on free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches that are available through their schools. In 2009-10 school year, the most recent year for which statistics are available, more than 9500 children in the Boise School District received assistance from the school lunch program. In the summer, though, no school means no school meals.
 The Idaho Foodbank recognizes this gap that needs filling, so they provide nutrition for food-insecure children during the summer through their Picnic in the Park program. From the time the final school bell rings in June until classes begin again in August, the Foodbank provides lunch every weekday for all children—regardless of income, family situation, etc.—through age 18. No questions asked.
In order to provide lunch for so many children, the Idaho Foodbank relies on partnerships with individuals, community groups, corporations, churches, and government organizations. Volunteers are always needed—and put to work!—but you can also help with your monetary contributions and donations of food.
Details about Picnic in the Park—such as park locations, lunch serving times, and how you can help—are still being ironed out. When they’re available, they will be posted on the Idaho Foodbank’s website, www.idahofoodbank.org.
Here is a complete list of the Foodbank’s 2011 Picnic in the Park sites:
Boise mobile sites
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Arbor Crossing Apartments
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5122 W. Stoker Lane
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12:45-1:15 p.m.
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Borah Park
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801 S. Aurora Drive
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12:30-1 p.m.
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Latah Village Apartments
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3905 Alpine Street
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12:30 – 1:00 p.m.
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Liberty Park
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520 N. Liberty Street
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11:30 a.m.- noon
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Manitou Park
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2001 S. Manitou Ave.
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11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
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Maple Grove Estates
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8597 W. Irving Lane
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11-11:30 a.m.
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Owyhee Park
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3400 W. Elder Street
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11:30 a.m. - noon
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Pierce Park Elementary
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5015 N. Pierce Park Ln.
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noon-12:30 p.m.
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Redwood Park
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2675 N. Shamrock
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1-1:30 p.m.
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Sunset Park
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2625 N. 32nd Street
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11:30 a.m.- noon
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Valley View Elementary
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3555 N. Milwaukee
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noon-12:30 p.m.
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Boise stationary sites
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Cassia Park
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4600 W. Camas Street
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11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Davis Park Apartments
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970 N. 29th Street
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12:30-1:30 p.m.
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Ivywild Park
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416 W. Ivywild Street
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11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Northwest Pointe Apartments
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3475 N. Five Mile
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12:45-1:30 p.m
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Oak Park Village Apartments
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2888 Cherry Lane
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11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Veterans Park
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930 N. Veterans Memorial Parkway
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11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
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Winstead Park
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6150 W. Northview Street
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11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
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Horseshoe Bend (stationary)
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Horseshoe Bend School
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398 School Drive
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noon-12:30 p.m.
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Horseshoe Bend City Park
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112 Ada Street (behind City Hall)
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noon-12:30 p.m.
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All children ages 1-18 eat for free!
Adults may purchase meals for just $1.00
Donna Bankhead is a contributing writer from Boise.
Idaho Foodbank’s “Picnic in the Park” is the 2011 beneficiary of Treasure Valley Family Magazine’s Cover Kids Search. The Search is held April 30 in conjunction with the Camp & Education Fair and net proceeds from the Search entries will go to “Picnic in the Park.” Click on treasurevalleyfamily.com to download your child’s entry form.
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